Torque Wrenches

Understand what a torque wrench is, learn about the different types, and how to choose the right one for your application.

What Is a Torque Wrench?

A torque wrench is a tool that applies a specific amount of torque to fasteners, like bolts or nuts, to ensure users can assemble parts with the correct tension, without causing damage from over- or under-tightening. Most torque wrenches are calibrated for use from 20% to 100% of their maximum capacity.

Important: Never use a torque wrench to remove tightened fasteners; it can affect calibration or cause permanent damage.

In simple terms, a torque wrench's function is to let you tighten fasteners to an exact, repeatable specification rather than by feel, which is why it is a standard tool in maintenance, assembly and production environments.

Types of Torque Wrenches

Common torque wrench types include beam, dial, digital, micrometer adjustable and micrometer pre-set styles, each suited to different accuracy needs and applications.

Flat Beam Torque Wrench

Easy to use; just apply force, and the needle moves to indicate torque, then automatically resets to zero.
Measures in both English and Metric units.
The pivoted handle concentrates the load at a precise point on the lever to ensure torque accuracy.
Usable in both directions (left/right).
The memory pointer shows maximum torque.
Accuracy of all flat beams: ±2% of the indicated value (from 20% to 100%).
Meets or exceeds ASME B107.14M and ISO 6789 standards.

Dial Torque Wrench

Easy-to-read dial displays torque values in both English and Metric units.
The memory pointer captures maximum torque.
Usable in both directions.
Accuracy: ±3%.
Meets or exceeds B107.14M and ISO 6789 standards.

Digital Torque Wrench

Stores multiple torque values in memory; digital display holds readings until saved or erased.
Users can pre-set high and low percentage tolerances.
Can operate in multiple units of measure.
Accuracy: ±1% (±2% for import models).
Usable in both left and right directions.
Available in both metric (Newton meter) and inch pound or foot pound scales, so it is easy to match a digital or metric torque wrench to the units on your spec sheet.

Using Adapters with Torque Wrenches

Using adapters that alter the length or leverage of your torque wrench can affect accuracy. When using drive torque adapters, consult the machinery’s handbook for correct torque offset calculations.

How to Choose the Right Torque Wrench

Ask yourself:

Do I need to measure torque (use a direct reading type) or apply torque (use an application type)?
Should the operator be able to change the torque settings?
What torque range is most commonly needed for my tasks?

Best Practices for Using a Torque Wrench

Apply load to the center of the grip.
Avoid using cheater bars unless supplied by the manufacturer.
Apply load at a constant, steady speed.
Use the wrench within its middle range for best accuracy and ergonomics.
Always wear safety glasses when using hand tools.

Conversion of Torque Units Guide

Use this torque wrench conversion chart to quickly convert between Newton meters (Nm), foot pounds (ft lbs) and inch pounds (in lbs), the three units most commonly shown on torque wrench dials and digital displays.

Torque Conversion - In./Lbs. (Nm)

In./Lbs.	Nm	In./Lbs.	Nm	In./Lbs.	Nm
5	0.6	60	6.8	130	14.7
10	1.1	65	7.4	140	15.8
15	1.7	70	7.9	150	17.0
20	2.3	75	8.5	160	18.1
25	2.8	80	9.0	170	19.2
30	3.4	85	9.6	180	20.3
35	4.0	90	10.2	190	21.5
40	4.5	95	10.7	200	22.6
45	5.2	100	11.3
50	5.7	110	12.4
55	6.2	120	13.6

Torque Conversion Factors

To Convert	Into	Multiply By
Inch Pounds	Foot Pounds	0.0835
Inch Pounds	Newton meters	0.113
Inch Pounds	Kg-meters	0.0115
Inch Pounds	Kg-Cm	1.1519
Foot Pounds	Inch Pounds	12
Foot Pounds	Newton meters	1.356
Foot Pounds	Kg-meters	0.1382
Foot Pounds	Kg-Cm	13.824
Newton meters	Inch Pounds	8.844
Newton meters	Foot Pounds	0.737
Newton meters	Kg-meters	0.102
Newton meters	Kg-Cm	10.2
Kg-meters	Inch Pounds	86.81
Kg-meters	Foot Pounds	7.234
Kg-meters	Newton meters	9.804
Kg-Cm	Inch Pounds	0.8681
Kg-Cm	Foot Pounds	0.0723
Kg-Cm	Newton meters	0.092

Miscellaneous Conversion Factors

To Convert	Into	Multiply By
Inches	Millimeters	25.4
Millimeters	Inches	0.0394
Pounds	Kilograms	0.4536
Kilograms	Pounds	2.205
psi	bar	0.069
bar	psi	14.5

Standard Conversion Equations

Ft./Lbs. X 1.3556 = Nm
In./Lbs. X .1130 = Nm
In./Oz. X .00706 =Nm

Torque Conversion - Ft./Lbs. (Nm)

Ft./Lbs.	Nm	Ft./Lbs.	Nm	Ft./Lbs.	Nm	Ft./Lbs.	Nm	Ft./Lbs.	Nm
1	1.4	26	35.3	51	69.2	76	103.1	110	149.2
2	2.7	27	36.6	52	70.5	77	104.4	115	156.0
3	4.1	28	38.0	53	71.9	78	105.8	120	163.0
4	5.4	29	39.3	54	73.2	79	107.1	125	170.0
5	6.8	30	40.7	55	74.6	80	108.5	130	176.3
6	8.1	31	42.0	56	75.9	81	110.0	135	183.1
7	9.5	32	43.4	57	77.3	82	111.2	140	190.0
8	10.9	33	44.8	58	78.7	83	112.6	145	197.0
9	12.2	34	46.1	59	80.0	84	114.0	150	203.4
10	13.6	35	47.5	60	81.4	85	115.3	155	210.2
11	14.9	36	48.8	61	82.7	86	117.0	160	217.1
12	16.3	37	50.2	62	84.1	87	118.0	165	224.0
13	17.6	38	52.0	63	85.4	88	119.3	170	231.0
14	19.0	39	52.9	64	86.8	89	121.0	175	237.3
15	20.3	40	54.2	65	88.1	90	122.0	180	244.1
16	21.7	41	55.6	66	90.0	91	123.4	185	251.0
17	23.1	42	57.0	67	90.9	92	125.0	190	258.0
18	24.4	43	58.3	68	92.2	93	126.1	195	264.4
19	25.8	44	60.0	69	93.6	94	127.5	200	271.2
20	27.1	45	61.0	70	94.9	95	129.0	225	305.1
21	28.5	46	62.4	71	96.3	96	130.2	250	339.0
22	29.8	47	63.7	72	97.6	97	131.5	275	373.0
23	31.2	48	65.1	73	99.0	98	133.0	300	407.0
24	32.5	49	66.4	74	100.3	99	134.2	350	475.0
25	33.9	50	67.8	75	102.0	100	135.6	400	542.4

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a torque wrench?

A torque wrench is a hand tool that lets you apply and measure a precise amount of torque to a fastener, so bolts and nuts are tightened to spec rather than by feel. It is used across routine maintenance, vehicle assembly and production line work, and each type controls torque a little differently, from beam and dial styles to digital and micrometer models.

What are the different types of torque wrenches?

There are two main categories. Direct reading types, such as flat beam, dial and digital wrenches, show the applied torque as you turn, which makes them useful for design work, inspections and general use. Application types, such as micrometer adjustable and micrometer pre-set wrenches, are set to a target torque ahead of time and click once that value is reached, which is common in maintenance, installation and production settings.

What does Nm mean on a torque wrench?

Nm stands for Newton meter, the metric unit of torque. Many torque wrenches display readings in Nm alongside foot pounds (ft lbs) or inch pounds (in lbs), so you can match the unit called for on a spec sheet or in an equipment manual. Use the conversion tables above to move between Nm, ft lbs and in lbs.

How do you use a torque wrench?

Set or confirm the target torque value, then apply steady, even pressure to the center of the grip until you reach that value. Avoid cheater bars unless the manufacturer supplies one, work within the wrench's middle range for the best accuracy, and never use a torque wrench to loosen a fastener since that can throw off its calibration.

What is the difference between a metric and inch pound torque wrench?

The difference is the unit of measurement, not the mechanism. A metric torque wrench reads in Newton meters (Nm), while an inch pound or foot pound wrench uses the imperial scale. Many digital and dial models let you switch between both, so the choice often comes down to which unit matches your equipment specs.

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